If a thermometer reads 98.6°F, what is the temperature in Celsius (approximately)?

If a thermometer reads 98.6°F, what is the temperature in Celsius (approximately)?

• A. 0°C
• B. 37°C (approximately)
• C. 98.6°C
• D. -273°C

Answer: (B)

To compare temperatures across scales, use the conversion formula C = (F − 32) × 5/9. For 98.6°F, subtract 32 to get 66.6. Multiply by 5/9 (about 0.556): 66.6 × 5/9 ≈ 37.0. So the temperature is approximately 37°C, which matches typical human body temperature. Think of the other options as reference points: 0°C is the freezing point of water (32°F), far below body temperature; -273°C is absolute zero (the lowest possible temperature); and 98.6°C would be extremely hot (about 210°F), not body temperature.

To compare temperatures across scales, use the conversion formula C = (F − 32) × 5/9. For 98.6°F, subtract 32 to get 66.6. Multiply by 5/9 (about 0.556): 66.6 × 5/9 ≈ 37.0. So the temperature is approximately 37°C, which matches typical human body temperature.

Think of the other options as reference points: 0°C is the freezing point of water (32°F), far below body temperature; -273°C is absolute zero (the lowest possible temperature); and 98.6°C would be extremely hot (about 210°F), not body temperature.